Life expectancy in the poorest parts of England is a DECADE lower than in the richest

People born in the poorest parts of England can expect to die nearly ten years younger than the wealthy, according to official estimates. 

Office for National Statistics data published today found the life expectancy at birth for men in the most deprived areas was 74.1 years, compared to 83.5 in the richest.

The report, which estimates lifespans of people born between 2017 and 2019, found an eight-year gap among women, with the rich living to 86.4 compared to 78.7 in the poor.

Decades of health inequalities mean people in deprived areas are more likely to suffer from conditions such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. 

Cigarette, drug and alcohol and junk food consumption rates are also generally higher in impoverished neighbourhoods. 

The figures do not take into account the toll of the coronavirus pandemic, which is thought to have widened inequalities even further.

A number of reports have shown those in the most deprived areas of the country are up to three times more likely to die from Covid than their wealthy peers. 

Average life expectancy for men in the most deprived areas was 74.1 years compared to 83.5 in the wealthiest, according to data between 2017 and 2019

The report, which surveyed 320,000 households in England, also looked at the average length of time people in England live disability-free

The ONS said poor men had gained an additional three disability-free years since its last report in 2016. Poor women, on the other hand, lost 1.8 years

 Finally, the report estimated the duration of time spent in ‘good’ health. Healthy life expectancy among poor women was 52.3 years in 2017 to 2019, compared with 70.7 years among rich men

The ONS said since its last report in 2016, poor women have seen life expectancy fall by a month. In contrast, rich women gained 11 weeks of life in that time. 

For men, those in the most deprived areas saw life expectancy go up by seven weeks, while men in the wealthiest parts of the country gained three-and-a-half months.

The report, which looked at 320,000 households in England, also looked at the average length of time people in England live disability-free.

It found the poor-rich divide was even more exaggerated, with people in the most deprived areas becoming sick up to 16 years younger. 

Poor women could expect to live disability-free for 50.7 years in 2017 to 2019, compared to 66.5 years in rich women.

For men, the most deprived areas could expect to live 52.6 years without disease or disability compared to 69.4 years in the least deprived areas.

The ONS said poor men had gained an additional three disability-free years since its last report in 2016. Poor women, on the other hand, lost 1.8 years.

Finally, the report estimated the duration of time spent in ‘good’ health. Healthy life expectancy among poor women was 52.3 years in 2017 to 2019, compared with 70.7 years among rich men.

For women, the most deprived areas could expect to live 51.4 years in ‘good’ health compared with 71.2 years in the least deprived areas.

Healthy life expectancy is an estimate of lifetime spent in ‘very good’ or ‘good’ health, based on how individuals perceive their general health, the ONS said.